The Quantum Age : How the Physics of the Very Small Has Transformed Our Lives

Quantum theory may be bizarre and inexplicable—but it's been shown to account for as much as 30 percent of American GDP, as this brilliant new book by science writer extraordinaire Brian Clegg reveals. The Stone, Bronze, and Iron Ages, and the birth of steam machinery and electricity, saw human life transformed by new materials and technology. Clegg—who studied physics at Cambridge University and specializes in making the strangest aspects of the universe accessible to the general reader —explores the Quantum Age, the revolution led by our understanding of the very, very small. Atoms, electrons, and photons of light are all quantum particles, acting totally unlike the objects we experience. This weird quantum behavior lies at the heart of every electronic device and powers lasers in everything from DVDs to eye correction. It is also behind quantum biology, the astonishing new realization that biological functions, from our ability to see and photosynthesis in plants to the amazing ability of birds to navigate, rely directly on quantum effects. We've all heard about how odd quantum theory is. But in this book, for the first time, Clegg reveals to a popular science audience precisely how __useful__ it is. Incredible revelations along the way will thrill popular science fans and general readers alike. **Brian Clegg** is an acclaimed science writer published by Icon Books and St. Martin's Press. His books include __Inflight Science__, __Dice World__ (forthcoming), __The Universe Inside You__, __Gravity__, and __Extra-Sensory__. Quantum theory may be bizarre and inexplicable—but it's been shown to account for as much as 30 percent of American GDP, as this brilliant new book by science writer extraordinaire Brian Clegg reveals. The Stone, Bronze, and Iron Ages, and the birth of steam machinery and electricity, saw human life transformed by new materials and technology. Clegg—who studied physics at Cambridge University and specializes in making the strangest aspects of the universe accessible to the general reader —explores the Quantum Age, the revolution led by our understanding of the very, very small. Atoms, electrons, and photons of light are all quantum particles, acting totally unlike the objects we experience. This weird quantum behavior lies at the heart of every electronic device and powers lasers in everything from DVDs to eye correction. It is also behind quantum biology, the astonishing new realization that biological functions, from our ability to see and photosynthesis in plants to the amazing ability of birds to navigate, rely directly on quantum effects. We've all heard about how odd quantum theory is. But in this book, for the first time, Clegg reveals to a popular science audience precisely how useful it is. Incredible revelations along the way will thrill popular science fans and general readers alike. Brian Clegg is an acclaimed science writer published by Icon Books and St. Martin's Press. His books include Inflight Science , Dice World (forthcoming), The Universe Inside You , Gravity , and Extra-Sensory . The stone age, the iron age, the steam and electrical ages all saw the reach of humankind transformed by new technology. Now we are living in the quantum age, a revolution in everyday life led by our understanding of the very, very small. Today, technologies based on quantum physics account for 30 per cent of US GDP, and yet quantum particles such as atoms, electrons and photons remain enigmatic, acting totally unlike the objects we experience directly. Weird quantum behaviour is also essential to nature. From the mechanism of the Sun to quantum biology in our eyesight, photosynthesis in plants and the ability of birds to navigate, quantum effects are key. Quantum physics lies at the heart of every electronic device, every smartphone and laser, and now quantum superconductors have moved out of the lab to make levitating trains and MRI scanners possible, while soon superfast, ultra-secure quantum computers may be a reality. Acclaimed popular science author Brian Clegg brings histrademark clarity and enthusiasm to a book that will give the world around you a new sense of wonder The stone age, the iron age, the steam and electrical ages all saw the reach of humankind transformed by new technology. Now we are living in the quantum age, a revolution in everyday life led by our understanding of the very, very small. Quantum physics lies at the heart of every electronic device from smartphones to lasers; quantum superconductors allow levitating trains and MRI scanners, while superfast, ultra-secure quantum computers may soon be a reality. Yet quantum particles such as atoms, electrons and photons remain mysterious, acting totally unlike the objects we experience directly. With his trademark clarity and enthusiasm, acclaimed popular science author Brian Clegg reveals the amazing world of the quantum that lies all around us. The Stone Age, the Iron Age, and the steam and electrical ages all saw the reach of humankind transformed by new technology. Now we are living in the Quantum Age, a revolution in everyday life led by our understanding of the very, very small. Quantum physics account for 30 percent of American GDP and are at the heart of every electronic device; every smartphone and laser we use. Acclaimed popular science author Brian Clegg brings his trademark clarity and enthusiasm to a book that will give the world around you a new sense of wonder. "Quantum physics lies at the heart of every electronic device from smartphones to lasers; quantum super-conductors allow levitating trains and MRI scanners, while superfast, ultra-secure quantum computers may soon be a reality. Yet quantum particles such as atoms, electrons, and photos remain mysterious, acting totally unlike the objects we experience directly." -- P. [4] Cover Enter the quantum Quantum nature The electron's realm QED Light and magic Super beams Making light work Resistance is futile Floating trains and well-chilled SQUIDs Spooky entanglement From bit to qubit It's alive! A quantum universe. Acclaimed popular science author Brian Clegg demonstrates how quantum physics underpins everyday life.